The NFL has experienced numerous offseason changes that have transformed the league. Notable signings, high-profile trades, and unexpected draft choices are poised to make a significant impact on the 2024 season. But which offseason moves stood out as the best?
5 Best Moves of the 2024 NFL Offseason
Falcons Sign Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons have had a bad run over the previous six years. Not only have they not made the playoffs since 2017, but they have never won more than seven games in a season. The Falcons have cycled through multiple quarterbacks since Matt Ryan’s departure, and things have gotten worse. The saddest aspect, however, is that Atlanta has felt unimportant in the NFC South.
However, things changed when the Falcons signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract this summer. Despite returning from an Achilles ailment, Cousins immediately makes the Falcons relevant in the NFC. Better yet, he offers Atlanta one of the NFC’s greatest quarterbacks.
Cousins is poised to go off right away. Zac Robinson, a renowned member of the Rams coaching staff, will lead the offense. He’ll operate an offense similar to Cousins’ in Minnesota, with much play action and passes over the middle of the field.
Cousins will play behind one of the league’s finest offensive lines, and he has playmakers all over the place. The Falcons’ decision to choose Michael Penix Jr. at age. 8 remains perplexing, but it should have little immediate consequence.
The Falcons signed the best player in free agency and are already a contender in the NFC. Atlanta should reach the playoffs for the first time in a long time this season, and a deep run is not out of the question. Cousins gives the Falcons credibility, something they lacked in previous seasons.
Jets Revamp Offensive Line
The New York Jets had a clear objective this offseason: enhance their offensive line. They achieved this without resorting to excessive spending or high draft picks.
Their initial move involved trading for Morgan Moses, a right tackle known for his consistent performance in the league over the past decade. Although Moses is now 33, he has only missed three games since the 2001 season. This brings stability to the right side and he remains one of the premier pass blockers in the league.
The acquisition from the Baltimore Ravens was a solid decision, though not entirely unexpected. Contrarily, the signing of Tyron Smith was more surprising. The Jets secured the eight-time Pro Bowler with a favorable contract following an outstanding season in Dallas. The Dallas Cowboys allowed him to leave due to health concerns, but for the Jets, this deal carries no significant risk. If Smith stays healthy, he is still among the elite pass blockers in the NFL.
One of the reasons the Smith trade seems even better in retrospect is New York’s selection of Penn State LT Olu Fashanu at No. 11. He’s a young (21) and skilled offensive lineman who’ll have the advantage of sitting behind Smith. Fashanu will almost certainly play as a rookie, but for the time being, the Jets have a very excellent backup plan in case Smith is injured.
The Jets rebuilt their offensive line in one summer, transforming a problem into a strength. Congratulations to Joe Douglas and the team’s front management for finally investing.
Giants Trade For, Sign Brian Burns
The New York Giants have not won more than ten games in a season since 2016, and they have struggled to find their identity in the post-Eli Manning era. However, the Giants seem to be returning to their successful formula of developing an exceptional pass rush. While the quarterback position and the whole offense are in turmoil, New York is developing one of the most formidable pass-rush groups.
The Giants were already well-prepared with Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but the deal for Brian Burns provided them with a legitimate No. 1 edge rusher capable of winning at an outrageous rate. He turned 26 in April and already has 46 sacks and 95 quarterback hits. His speed and bend around the edge are among the greatest in the NFL, and he’ll now be part of a powerful defensive line that will almost certainly result in fewer double teams than before.
As the Giants seek their next franchise quarterback, their defensive line should be enough to keep them competitive. They have many All-Pro players on the roster, and none are older than 26. The Giants have won two Super Bowls this century, both because to their pass rush. Getting back to that recipe is a good idea for the franchise.
Texans Sign Danielle Hunter
This summer, the Houston Texans had a clear goal: make the most of their Super Bowl opportunity with C.J. Stroud on his rookie deal. They made numerous aggressive moves, including acquiring WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon via trade.
But their finest move was signing four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter for a two-year contract. Hunter is coming off probably his greatest season, with 16.5 sacks and a league-high 23 tackles for loss. He’s spent most of his career on the field, appearing in at least 16 games in six of the last seven years.
While he will be 30 during the 2024 season, the Texans will not be obligated to pay him anything until 2025. They should still receive a very effective pass rusher in his last years of peak performance.
Combining Hunter with the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year (Will Anderson), Houston has probably the finest one-two punch in the league. The Texans now have the pass rusher to go after the conference’s best quarterbacks, which is critical if they want to beat Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and others.
Hunter’s arrival will make this team much more dangerous, and they are a potential Super Bowl contender in the AFC.
Chiefs Sign WR ‘Hollywood Brown
Even before Rashee Rice’s traffic accident, the Kansas City Chiefs understood they needed to make a move at wide receiver this summer. They sought to enhance their outside receiver position and locate a man who could challenge defenses vertically. That is why the addition of Marquise Brown could not have been a better match.
Brown, a former first-round choice of the Ravens, was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals at the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been a good NFL receiver, with his greatest season coming in 2021 with the Ravens (91 catches, 1,008 yards).
Brown has always performed well when paired with a competent quarterback. For example, Brown and Kyler Murray averaged more than 70 yards per game in 2022. The same was true in 2021 when Brown averaged 72.2 yards while Lamar Jackson began and completed the game. Brown will now play with Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s top quarterback, who also happens to be the league’s finest deep-ball thrower. Brown has played alongside many talented quarterbacks, going back to his time at Oklahoma. However, none of them can match Mahomes.
The greatest thing is that the Chiefs aren’t counting on Brown to be a top receiver. They need him to be an improvement over Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Brown is capable of becoming that even when sleeping.
As long as he stays healthy, Brown should be a 1,000-yard receiver, giving the Chiefs immediate speed down the field. With just $6.5 million guaranteed for the 2024 season, Kansas City’s move deserves to rank higher on our list. It’s an ideal fit at a very cheap price.
